Farmers have found another boat of poor-quality barley being brought into Ireland. The barley, understood to be from the UK, was being unloaded early on Wednesday morning when a small group of IFA members took samples to ascertain its specification. Tests showed the barley to have a kph of 61, and screenings at a whopping 10% at 14.5% moisture. Farmers also identified sterile brome and blackgrass seeds in the barley.

As word spread of the poor quality of the grain, farmers started to arrive in Drogheda Port to protest against its unloading. By the time gardaí were called, a combine had joined the protest, with farmers refusing to leave the port, and demanding a meeting with the importer of the grain through the harbourmaster, who refused to divulge the identity of the importer.

This comes hot on the heels of the action taken by the IFA in Foynes earlier this month. IFA grain chair Liam Dunne says the questions are mounting for grain importers and feed compounders.

“A picture is emerging of poor-quality barley, imported at who-knows-what price, presumably to undermine harvest prices for farmers,” Dunne said. “Farmers are being sold this grain in rations – it’s not good enough.” Dunne said the IFA is working on a scheme where feed compounders will voluntarily undertake to guarantee minimum inclusion rates of Irish grain.